NEW MEXICO GOATHEADS
Goatheads procure international flair for roster
Forward Artem Pugachev, defenseman Derek Daschke both have experience outside US
The New Mexico Goatheads have added some international experience to their roster.
The Colorado Avalanche鈥檚 ECHL affiliate announced the signings of forward Artem Pugachev on Tuesday and defenseman Derek Daschke on Thursday for the 2026-27 season, which begins Oct. 16 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The two are the fifth and sixth players, respectively, to join the first-year franchise.
Pugachev, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound native of Moscow, spent playing in the All-Russian Hockey League, the country鈥檚 second tier behind the Kontinental Hockey League. This will be his first foray into North American hockey.
The 25-year old appeared in 54 regular-season games for Izhstal Izhevsk in 2025-26 and recorded five goals and eight assists. During his VHL career, Pugachev has scored nine goals and tallied 16 assists in 135 games.
Daschke, meanwhile, is returning to the ECHL after splitting last season between the AHL鈥檚 Abbotsford Canucks, ECHL鈥檚 Kalamazoo Wings and Lukko of Liiga, Finland鈥檚 top professional league. Between the three, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder finished with seven goals and five assists in 32 games.
A native of Troy, Michigan, Daschke鈥檚 most productive professional season came with the Utah Grizzlies in 2024-25. He recorded 17 goals and 39 assists in 65 games on his way to All-ECHL first-team honors.
, Daschke has appeared in 156 games, scored 39 times and assisted on 70 goals. He played his college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth before transferring to Miami (Ohio).
David Glovach covers New Mexico 近距离内射合集 and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X .
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